January 2, 2025
The FBI is encouraging skilled athletes to train further warning as they’re being focused by organized crime burglaries at alarming charges.
The FBI has warned skilled athletes about organized theft teams from South America which might be “more and more” focusing on their properties.
The report comes after a string of burglaries between September and November on the properties {of professional} athletes whereas they had been touring or taking part in video games, ABC Information studies. Authorities reported a sequence of comparable burglaries carried out by organized theft teams, allegedly focusing on the properties of not less than 9 skilled athletes.
“These properties are focused for housebreaking as a result of notion they might have high-end items like designer purses, jewellery, watches, and money,” the FBI stated in a Liaison Info Report.
Current housebreaking victims embody Kansas Metropolis Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić. Moreover, the properties of NBA gamers Mike Conley Jr. and Bobby Portis had been additionally focused, though the FBI’s report didn’t specify any specific incidents.
“Whereas many burglaries happen whereas properties are unoccupied, some burglaries happen whereas residents are residence. In these situations, people are inspired to hunt legislation enforcement assist and keep away from participating with criminals, as they might be armed or use violence if confronted,” the report additional said.
In accordance with the FBI, organized theft teams from South America plan their burglaries by conducting detailed surveillance of properties in individual and thru expertise and social media. They analyze publicly out there data and social media to trace victims’ routines and infrequently have prior information of the place valuables are saved within the residence.
“These preparation techniques allow theft teams to conduct burglaries in a brief period of time. Organized theft teams bypass alarm programs, use Wi-Fi jammers to dam Wi-Fi connections and disable units, cowl safety cameras, and obfuscate their identities,” the FBI report stated.
Authorities counsel that star athletes ought to transfer extra cautiously. The FBI urges skilled athletes to report any suspicious exercise and keep detailed data of their valuables and stock.
In addition they advocate enhancing residence safety and exercising warning on social media, corresponding to avoiding posts that reveal valuables, the inside of their residence, or real-time updates whereas touring.